MASTER MIX
The following recipe is for Master Mix, an all-purpose baking mix that can be made ahead of
time, stored easily, and used to make many dishes. Small families may wish to half the mix and
large families may wish to double it.
Nutritional Information for Master Mix
Enriched flour is high in carbohydrates, iron, and three B vitamins: thiamine, riboflavin,
and niacin.
Carbohydrates supply energy for our bodies.
Iron carries oxygen to all cells of the body.
B vitamins are important for nerves, digestion, appetite, and healthy skin.
Nonfat dry milk is high in protein, calcium, and riboflavin.
Protein builds and repairs body tissues and increases resistance to disease.
Calcium is important for growth and maintenance of bones and teeth.
Iodized salt is an important source of the mineral iodine.
Iodine helps regulate the body’s metabolism.
Canola oil is low in unsaturated fat. Eating a lot of saturated fat increases your risk of
heart disease.
Master Mix Baking Tips to Remember
Preheat oven 5-10 minutes before baking.
Biscuits turn out best when baked in a hot
oven.
Reduce heat 25 degrees if you use a glass
pan.
Save on the electric or gas bill. Remember to
turn the oven off after baking.
MASTER MIX
Pancakes, Biscuits, Muffins
Basic Master Mix
4 cups all-purpose flour
4 cups whole wheat flour*
11⁄3 cups nonfat dry milk
1
⁄4 cup baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
11⁄2 cups vegetable shortening
or margarine
Lower-Fat Master Mix
This recipe is good for pancakes, pizza,
Snackin’ Cake, and brownies. Traditional
biscuits will not be as tender as those made
from Basic Master Mix.
Stir dry ingredients together until well
mixed. Cut in vegetable shortening or
margarine until well mixed. Store in
closed, covered jar or can. Refrigerate if
margarine is used or to keep longer than
1 month. Stir lightly before using in
recipes.
4 cups all-purpose flour
4 cups whole wheat flour*
11⁄3 cups nonfat dry milk
1
⁄4 cup baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3
⁄4 cups vegetable shortening or margarine
Follow directions for Basic Master Mix.
*If whole-wheat flour is not available, use allpurpose flour. Enriched cornmeal or rolled
oats can also be substituted for all or part of
the whole-wheat flour.
Master Mix with Oil
This recipe is good for all products except Snackin’ Cake.
4 cups all-purpose flour
4 cups whole wheat flour*
11⁄3 cups nonfat dry milk
1
⁄4 cup baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
Stir dry ingredients together until well mixed. Store in closed,
covered jar or can.
To use: add oil when mixing recipes. Use 2 tablespoons oil for
every cup of Master Mix in the recipe. Recipes also need 1-2
tablespoons of extra water.
Biscuits
Makes 10 biscuits, 2 inches each
Pizza
Makes 4 to 6 servings or one 12- to 14-inch pizza
2 cups Master Mix
1
⁄2 cup water
Crust
2 cups Master Mix
1
⁄2 cup water
Preheat oven to 400ºF. Add water to the
dry mix. Stir about 20 times. Turn dough
onto a lightly floured board or table top.
Knead 2-5 strokes. Roll or pat to 3⁄4-inch
thickness. Cut with a biscuit cutter or cut
into squares with a knife. Bake on
ungreased pan for 12-15 minutes.
Preheat oven to 425ºF. Knead 5-6 times.
Spread dough on a baking sheet. Turn
up edges. Select topping and bake
according to directions.
Taco Topping
1
⁄2 pound ground beef
⁄2 cup water
1 package taco seasoning
1 can (16 ounces) refried beans
1
⁄2 onion, chopped
1
⁄2 cup cheese
2 cups chopped lettuce
1 chopped tomato
1
To vary, add one of these to the dry mix:
1
⁄3 cup grated, sharp cheese
1
⁄4 cup minced, crisp-cooked bacon
1
⁄3 cup raisins and 1 tablespoon sugar
Calories: 147 for one biscuit
Excellent source of B vitamins
Brown ground beef in a skillet. Add
water, seasonings, and beans. Heat
through. Spread mixture on dough. Add
onion and cheese. Bake about 20 minutes
until edges are brown. Sprinkle lettuce
and tomatoes on pizza. Serve right away.
Calories: 711 for 1⁄4 taco pizza
Pancakes
Makes about 12 medium-sized pancakes
2 cups Master Mix
1 cup water
2 eggs, beaten
Put all the ingredients in a bowl. Stir just
enough to moisten dry ingredients. Drop
by teaspoons onto a hot, greased skillet.
A skillet is hot when water dances on it.
Cook slowly until the surface is covered
with bubbles. Turn and cook until second
side is well browned.
Cheese Topping
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
2-3 tablespoons minced onion
8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
Spread tomato sauce on dough. Sprinkle
with cheese. Bake 20 minutes until edges
are brown.
Calories: 542 for 1⁄4 cheese pizza
Calories: 136 for 1 pancake
Excellent source of B vitamins
Brownies
Makes one 8-inch square pan
1 cup Master Mix
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
⁄3 cup cocoa
1 cup sugar
1
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease 8-inch square pan. Mix dry ingredients together. Add eggs and
vanilla and mix well. Pour into pan. Bake about 25 minutes.
Calories: 156 for 2-inch square brownie
Snackin’ Cake
Makes one 8-inch square cake
11⁄2 cups Master Mix
1
⁄2 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
1
⁄2 cup water
1
⁄3 cup sugar
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease 8-inch square pan. Mix sugar into Master Mix. In another
bowl, beat water, egg, and vanilla until frothy. Stir water-egg mixture into mix. Beat until
smooth. Spread batter into greased pan. Bake for 25 minutes or until firm when touched.
Calories: 186 for a 3-inch square serving
Good source of B vitamins
Mix 1⁄4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, and 2 tablespoons margarine together.
Sprinkle over batter. Bake for about 25 minutes.
For Coffee Cake:
Mix batter and set aside. Melt 1⁄4 cup margarine in cake pan. Add 1⁄4 cup
brown sugar. Arrange pineapple or peach slices in sugar. Pour batter over fruit. Bake about 25
minutes. Cool slightly. Place a plate upside down over cake pan. Hold plate and cake pan
together and turn upside down so cake pan is on top. Cake should drop from pan onto plate.
Cut and serve.
For Upside Down Cake:
Shopping Hints
Watch for specials on flour.
Compare costs of nationally known
brands, plain labels, or store brands. Plain
labels usually are less expensive.
Read Labels
Whole-wheat flour has wheat germ and bran.
It has fiber and a few more nutrients than allpurpose flour.
Graham flour is the same as whole-wheat
flour, but more expensive.
Self-rising flour has salt and baking powder
added. It is more expensive than adding your
own salt and baking powder.
Enriched all-purpose flour has B-vitamins and
iron added. It is usually the least expensive.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and moderate in total
fat. Master Mix with oil has less saturated fat. Reduced Fat Master Mix has less total fat. They are healthier choices than Basic
Master Mix or boxed biscuit mixes.
Distributed by Carol Ball, Extension Associate III, Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion.
Funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating
on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call
(800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Publication 2378
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance
of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. JOE E. STREET, Interim Director
(POD-11-10)